Spicy & Chewy Squid and Pork Stir-fry (Ojing-eo Jeyuk Bokkeum)
Spicy & Chewy Squid and Pork Stir-fry (Ojing-eo Jeyuk Bokkeum)
A Spicy Fusion of Chewy Squid and Savory Pork Shoulder! The Perfect Recipe for a Delicious Side Dish or Appetizer.
Jeyuk Bokkeum, or spicy stir-fried pork, is a dish I often make when I crave something flavorful and easy to prepare. Today, I’ve elevated it by adding tender, chewy squid, creating a delightful ‘Squid Jeyuk Bokkeum.’ The combination of squid and pork shoulder offers a wonderfully complex texture. You won’t need to add any extra water; the vegetables release plenty of moisture as they cook, resulting in a perfectly moist and glossy stir-fry. This dish is fantastic as a side for rice or even better as a companion to your favorite drinks! Shall we get cooking?
Main Ingredients- Pork shoulder 300g (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- Squid 1 medium (cleaned, body cut into rings, tentacles chopped)
- Onion 1/2 (thinly sliced)
- Green onion 1 stalk (sliced diagonally)
- Green chili pepper 1 (sliced diagonally)
- Red chili pepper 1 (sliced diagonally)
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
Spicy Sauce Ingredients- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 3 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (Mirin, etc.) 2 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp
- Sesame seeds 1/2 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 1 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 3 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (Mirin, etc.) 2 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp
- Sesame seeds 1/2 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 300g of pork shoulder, which is perfect for stir-fries due to its good balance of meat and fat, and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Next, take one medium-sized squid. Clean it, remove the skin from the body, and cut it into bite-sized rings. Also, chop the tentacles for easier eating.
Step 2
Let’s make the delicious sauce for our Squid Jeyuk Bokkeum! In a bowl, combine 2 Tbsp of gochujang, 1 Tbsp of gochugaru, 3 Tbsp of soy sauce, 2 Tbsp of cooking wine, 1 Tbsp of sesame oil, and 1/2 Tbsp of sesame seeds. Mix everything thoroughly with a spoon or whisk until well combined. Tip: Adding too much gochujang can make the dish taste a bit heavy or bland. It’s better to reduce the amount of gochujang slightly and compensate with soy sauce for a richer flavor and balanced seasoning.
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the vegetables. Slice one green onion diagonally. Thinly slice half an onion. For a pop of color and a little heat, diagonally slice one red chili pepper and one green chili pepper. Your colorful and tasty vegetables are now ready.
Step 4
Place the cut pork and squid into a large bowl. Pour all of the prepared sauce over the meat and squid. Put on disposable gloves and use your hands to gently massage the sauce into the ingredients, ensuring everything is evenly coated. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes; this allows the flavors to penetrate deeply, making the dish even more delicious.
Step 5
Heat a pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated pork and squid. Stir in 1 Tbsp of minced garlic. Stir-fry quickly, tossing constantly to prevent the sauce from burning, ensuring all ingredients are coated with the sauce.
Step 6
Once the squid and pork begin to cook, add all the prepared vegetables (onion, green onion, chili peppers). Continue stir-frying over medium-high heat, mixing everything together. The vegetables will release their moisture as they cook, creating a natural sauce.
Step 7
As you continue to stir-fry, the vegetables will soften and release their juices, creating a slightly soupy consistency. Cook until the vegetables are tender and the sauce has reduced to your desired consistency. Be careful not to overcook, as the squid can become tough. Once ready, turn off the heat.
Step 8
And there you have it! Our Spicy & Chewy Squid and Pork Stir-fry is ready. The combination of tender, chewy squid and savory pork shoulder, coated in a delightful spicy sauce, is truly a treat. Pork shoulder is a fantastic cut for its tenderness and flavor, and the squid adds a wonderful chewy texture. Together, they create a dish that’s not only delicious but also nutritious. If you were to use pork belly instead of shoulder, you’d essentially be making ‘O-sam-bulgogi’! This spicy and slightly sweet stir-fry is perfect as a hearty side dish or a satisfying appetizer. Enjoy!
